Fiat 500 Diabolica news - Cartoon villain - 2008

Look at the Fiat 500 Diabolica. Isn't it cute, in its pretending-to-be-scary way? Like a Labrador puppy with a flick-knife, no?

Providing perhaps final proof that it's simply impossible to make the 500 look genuinely menacing, the Diabolica is a special edition Cinque produced by StudioTorino, Mycrom and comic book publisher Astorina.

Comic book publisher? Oh yes. Check out the interior, with its cartoon prints and Big Red Lettering. A bit garish, perhaps, but we have to admit we're liking those wire wheels and near-slick Pirelli tyres.

The Diabolica also gets a matt black paintjob, red 'tail fin' decals and a whole bunch of customised, erm, stuff on the inside, including a new steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake lever.

Only 50 examples will be produced, though whether that's good or bad news we'll leave up to your better judgment to decide. We'll get a closer look at the Diabolica in Paris.

If it's not busy pressganging some primary school hoodies into buying it sweets from the local tabac...